Hail Damage/Insurance Claims

Hail damage is responsible for countless roofs being replaced throughout the Mountain Region of Colorado and can lead to expensive insurance claims.According to the Federal Alliance of Safe Homes, hail causes more than $1.6 billion in damage per year, nationwide.

What does hail damage to your roof look like?

There are two types of hail damage to a roof.The first is hail damage that has resulted in unseen structural damage causing cracks and leaks in the future.The second is severe hail damage that results in immediate leaks in the form of cracks, holes, splitting or even missing shingles.If damage is undetectable assess your surrounding property.If there is damage to the landscaping, siding, windows or exterior appliances, there is likely damage to your roof.

It is important to know the different effects that hail damage has on different types of roofs.For example, hail damage to asphalt and composition shingles looks very different from hail damage on wood shingles.Detection of hail damage on flat roofs might even require a core cut to be made and sent to a lab for testing.

Below are factors to consider when determining if your roof has hail damage:Asphalt & Composition Shingles

Random damage with no pattern.

Hail hits that are black in color.

Loss of granules, which may expose the roof felt.

Asphalt that appears shiny.

Hail hits that are soft to the touch, like the bruises on an apple.

Wood Shingles

Random damage with no pattern.

A split in the shingle that is brown/orange in color.

A split in the shingle that has little to no deterioration at the edges.

Impact marks or dents along the splits.

Flat Roof Systems

Harder to determine hail damage without taking core samples and having it tested, look at the surroundings, check for:

Damage to landscaping, vehicles, and HVAC.

Damage on gutters, soffits, or metal flashings.

On membrane roofs, look for star/circular shaped indentions.

If you believe that your roof has been damaged by hail see our tips below:

Record the date of the storm

Contact a reputable local contractor who has been in business over 10 years.Be skeptical of any roof who comes door to door looking for you to sign a contract and put money down on the spot.Do research and select up to 3 contractors to inspect the roof and provide a proposal.With over 50 years roofing experience our team is experienced in inspecting and looking for hail damage, contact us today for a FREE inspection!

Act quickly!If the contractor discovers hail damage it is extremely important to file a claim with your insurance company right away.Some insurance companies have strict time limits of when a claim can be filed.Include your notes and the contractor’s assessment when filing your claim.

The insurance company will perform their own inspection.Try to have the contractor who performed the inspection available when the insurance adjustor comes to assess the roof.It’s important to follow your insurance company’s guidelines regarding the claim.Do not attempt to fix or repair your roof on your own.

If you follow the appropriate avenues, and your roof needs repaired or replaced, your insurance company will likely cover the cost.